Harbor hop: Tour Cape Cod along the shore

Watch the fishing vessels return to port with the day's catch in Chatham Harbor. Photo by John Fitts.

The Cape's many harbors are bustling with activity all throughout the year. Whether you are hopping on a ferry, chartering a fishing boat or boarding a whale watch vessel, you'll notice a whole other world carrying on around you.

Ships in and out of the harbor, the fleet returning with the daily catch, commuters returning home to the Vineyard after a day's work off-Cape.

Even if you aren't hopping on a boat, harbors are an interesting and inexpensive place to people watch or eat your lunch. Bring a sandwich or try a luncheon spot on the harbor.

If it's a little late in the day and you find yourself near a bayside harbor, get ready for one heck of a sunset!

Remember, whether it's morning, noon or night, always have your camera with Harbor Hopping you--you never know what you'll see on Cape Cod.

Here are some busy harbors to consider during your visit:

Upper Cape

Falmouth Harbor, Falmouth

Great Harbor, Woods Hole

Sandwich Harbor, Sandwich

Mid Cape

Hyannis Harbor, Hyannis

Sesuit Harbor, Dennis

Lower Cape

Saquatucket Harbor, Harwich

Wychmere Harbor, Harwich

Chatham Harbor, Chatham

Rock Harbor, Orleans

Outer Cape

Wellfleet Harbor, Wellfleet

Provincetown Harbor, Provincetown

About the Author

The CapeCodTravel staff aims to bring you the best of Cape Cod including tips from hospitality experts about the best places to eat, the best places to stay and how to make the most of your Cape Cod vacation.